Traveling internationally with kids can be a lot. Planes, trains, boats, metros, jet lag, long customs lines…and then there is the question of what stroller to bring.
I have traveled internationally with my three young kids using both a compact travel stroller and a side-by-side double stroller, and I can honestly say that the right setup makes a huge difference. Europe is absolutely doable with a stroller, even with cobblestone streets, tight sidewalks, and metro stairs. You just need to plan for the parts of travel that are a little less stroller-friendly.
Here are the five things I would want every parent to know before bringing a stroller abroad.
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Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Gate-checked strollers may be returned at baggage claim rather than at the arrival gate, so a baby carrier is essential
- For city travel, an easy fold and lightweight carry often matter more than a larger stroller with a perfect cobblestone push.
- Instead of filling up your stroller basket, utilize backpacks for quick folds during metro transfers and stairs.
- Use “steps-free” transit routes through navigation apps to avoid stairs when possible
- An attached rain cover is crucial for the frequent rain and wind in Europe.
1. International gate-check rules can be very different
One of the biggest surprises when flying internationally is that a gate-checked stroller may not come back to the gate when you land. Instead, it’ll be sent to baggage claim.
That means you could be walking through passport control, customs, and a potentially very long baggage-claim process without your stroller. If you are traveling with a baby, having a carrier is not just nice to have. It’s a really important backup plan.
On a recent arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, the family line still moved slowly because of new passport-scanning procedures. Tired children plus a long customs line is hard enough. Doing it without a stroller requires a plan.
Bring a baby carrier and save special snacks for customs
If your stroller is gate checked, be prepared to carry your baby and all of your plane essentials through the airport. A baby carrier can make this so much easier, especially when you are managing carry-ons, passports, and sleepy kids.
For toddlers, I found it very helpful to pack a small bag of special snacks that is specifically reserved for customs and passport control. It’s a small thing, but it can buy you a little sanity during a long wait.
Do not assume your stroller will make it into the overhead bin
If you want to bring a stroller into the cabin, look for one that falls within IATA cabin-baggage guidelines. And not to make this confusing, but even if it meets the measurement requirements, it does not guarantee an airline will accept it… Airlines have their own policies, and overhead-bin space can fill up, but it gives you a much better chance.
A stroller can be marketed as lightweight or travel-friendly and still be too large for an overhead bin. For example, the Nuna TRVL LX is a lightweight stroller, but it does not fold within IATA guidelines, so it will need to be gate checked.
Also remember that a stroller stored in the overhead bin counts as your carry-on item. If your ticket includes one personal item and one carry-on, the folded stroller takes the carry-on spot. A stroller or car seat may be eligible for free gate checking, but that is different from being allowed in the overhead bin.
A padded travel bag is worth bringing
Even if you are planning to carry your stroller onto the plane, I would still bring a padded travel bag. Because boarding groups vary and bins can fill up, sometimes a stroller has to be gate checked at the last minute. A padded bag gives it some protection when it is being handled with checked luggage.
These bags can also be helpful once you arrive! When transferring between cities, I used the stroller travel bag to hold all of our backpacks and diaper bags. It’s helpful to consolidate so you are not trying to carry four separate bags at once. That was especially helpful on train-transfer days. Here’s a list of my favorite padded travel bags.
Lastly, look up your airline’s stroller, child-baggage, and carry-on policies and then be kind and confident with the airport staff. I have found this goes a long way. The staff is trying to keep boarding smooth and safe, and knowing the policy ahead of time helps.
2. Choosing the stroller for your trip
There is no single best stroller for Europe. Your budget, destination, children’s ages, family size, and how you plan to get around all matter.
The biggest concern I hear is, “Will a travel stroller work on cobblestone?” For most city trips, yes. It may not be the smoothest push you have ever had, but compact travel strollers generally do better than parents expect on cobblestone, broken sidewalks, curbs, and uneven streets.
That is one reason strollers such as the Stokke YOYO3 and Bugaboo Butterfly 2 are so popular in Europe. They make up for a less-than-perfect push with a compact fold, easy carrying, and much better maneuverability in metros and small spaces.
When a compact travel stroller makes sense
If your trip includes city sightseeing, public transportation, narrow sidewalks, stairs, and tight restaurants, a compact travel stroller is usually a really good choice. You will be folding it more often than you think, and a smaller fold can be more valuable than larger wheels.
For help comparing compact options, see my travel stroller guide, which covers the features that matter most for airplane trips and everyday travel.
When you may want a sturdier stroller
If your plans involve lots of dirt roads, rough terrain, or destinations outside the city, you may prefer a more capable compact stroller such as the Thule Spring 2, Baby Jogger GT3, or Guava Roam. These options will not fit in an overhead bin, but they can offer a smoother ride on rougher terrain.
The tradeoff is important: a sturdier stroller may push better, but it will also be bigger to gate check, carry, fold, and move through transit.
Should you bring a side-by-side double stroller?
Do not let people scare you away from a side-by-side double stroller if it is what works best for your family. I brought one to Europe and really liked having it.
Many parents assume a tandem or single-to-double stroller is the better choice for narrow streets. While tandem doubles can fit through tighter areas, they are often bulky, complicated to fold, and have a ton of different parts (especially in double mode). Those things become a real pain on travel days or when you have to carry the stroller up and down stairs.
A lightweight side-by-side can be surprisingly practical because it is easy to grab, fold, and manage. It also keeps one parent free. With two single strollers, two adults need to push strollers, which can be really difficult when you are also traveling with bags and additional children.
If sidewalk width is your biggest concern, a narrower side-by-side such as the UPPAbaby MINU Duo may be worth considering. If you are comparing doubles, my side-by-side stroller comparison guide can help make the decision less overwhelming.
3. Prioritize an easy fold, light weight, and an empty basket
Paris is beautiful, but it is not the most stroller-friendly city. There are stairs, narrow walkways, crowded metros, and places where you have to fold the stroller and carry it.
That is why my number-one feature for international city travel is not necessarily a perfect cobblestone push…
It’s a stroller that easily folds, is light enough to pick up, and has a carry strap that can make the difference between a stressful transit day and an enjoyable one.
Do not fill the stroller basket before a metro day
A good basket is valuable when you are walking around a stroller-friendly city all day. But when you need to go down a flight of metro stairs, it becomes a problem if you have to empty a basket full of loose items before folding.
Keep the things you need in backpacks or a single bag rather than loading every item into the stroller basket. That way, when it is time to fold, you can grab the stroller, use the carry strap, and go. This was one of the biggest lessons we learned from the first days of our trip. Once the bags were consolidated and the basket was not overloaded, transportation became much easier. This is also a situation where you will want to have a baby carrier handy.
The Mockingbird Travel Stroller was a great fit for this kind of trip because it had a large canopy, peekaboo window, upright seat, near-flat recline, decent basket, and carry strap. The basket was helpful when the route was easy, while the quick fold and strap helped when it was not.
4. Use steps-free routing before you leave the hotel
This is one of those tips I wish I had used from the beginning. Navigation apps such as Citymapper and Google Maps can offer steps-free or wheelchair-accessible routing.
These routes are designed to prioritize elevators, ramps, and fewer stairs. They may take a little longer or send you slightly out of the way, but they can be helpful if your baby is napping or you do not want to break down the stroller again.
I would not expect every city to have perfect accessibility. In some places, elevators are limited or unavailable. Still, checking the route before you set out gives you a better idea of what you are walking into and may save you from carrying a stroller up several flights of stairs.
5. Bring a rain cover and keep it attached
A rain cover is one of those things that is easy to forget about until the exact moment you need it. Weather can change quickly, and rain is not the only issue. Wind can also make a stroller ride uncomfortable for a little one.
The best option is a rain cover that straps directly onto the stroller so it stays with you at all times. When the stroller is folded, the cover can remain attached, which means you are not trying to keep track of one more loose item during a busy travel day.
It is a small addition to your packing list, but it can be incredibly valuable on more than one day of an international trip.
The wrap-up
International travel with littles and a stroller takes some preparation, but it does not have to be intimidating. The goal is not to find a perfect stroller, because I do not think that exists. The goal is to choose the stroller and travel setup that fit your family, your destination, and the way you actually plan to get around.
- Bring a carrier for airport arrivals and stairs
- Protect a gate-checked stroller with a padded bag
- Choose a stroller that folds easily and is not super heavy
- Keep your basket light on transit days
- Use steps-free routing when you can
- Always pack a rain cover.
With the right expectations and a little flexibility, you can absolutely enjoy Europe with little kids and a stroller!
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking a Stroller to Europe
Can you take a stroller through customs after an international flight?
Not always. If the stroller is gate checked, many international arrivals return it at baggage claim rather than at the gate. Plan to go through passport control and customs without it.
Should I bring a travel stroller or a full-size stroller to Europe?
A compact travel stroller is usually the easier choice for city-based trips with metros, stairs, tight sidewalks, and frequent folding. A sturdier stroller may be a better fit for rough terrain or dirt roads. It all depends on what you plan to do on your trip.
Will a travel stroller work on cobblestones?
Most travel strollers do reasonably well on cobblestone and uneven sidewalks, even if they are not as smooth as a larger all-terrain stroller. Their compact size and convenient fold are often more useful for city travel.
Can I bring a side-by-side double stroller to Europe?
Yes. A lightweight side-by-side can work well internationally and can be easier to fold and manage than a bulky tandem stroller. Narrow sidewalks may be challenging in some areas, but it should not automatically rule out a side-by-side.
